Israel must complete its withdrawal from Lebanon by the deadline: Aoun

Lebanon’s recently appointed President Joseph Aoun has insisted that Israel must completely withdraw from the country by the ceasefire deadline of February 18, after reports that Israel has requested to keep troops in southern Lebanon until the end of the month. Lebanon’s National News Agency quoted Aoun as saying that EU countries should “pressure Israel to complete its withdrawal within the deadline of 18 February, and to return the displaced Syrians to their country after the reasons for their remaining in Lebanon no longer exist”. A Lebanese official and foreign diplomat told the Reuters news agency that Israel has requested to keep its troops in five posts in southern Lebanon until 28 February.